Kason's product line includes both vibratory and centrifugal screeners that separate bulk solid materials. In the plastics industry, Kason screeners are used to remove fines and contaminants from extruded pellets, regrind and recycled plastics.

Terms were not disclosed for the deal, announced Oct. 31. Baird bought Kason from Spell Capital Partners LLC.

Baird partnered with equipment executive Jon Weiner on the Kason acquisition. Weiner will be Kason's CEO. Previously Weiner was president of Pall Industrial in the Americas, a subsidiary of Pall Corp. specializing in products for filtration, separation and purification.

Henry Alamzad will remain as Kason's president.

Alamzad, Weiner and officials of Baird were not immediately available for comment.

A news release announcing the deal said Baird will use its knowledge of the process controls sector and its resources in China to help Kason develop innovative technologies and expand into global markets.